WB: Bird flu detected in Nadia, culling begins

{image-bird flu_06042008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Krishnagar, Apr 6: The dreaded Avian Influenza has been confirmed at Ranaghat, Gannapur and several other villages in Nadia district of West Bengal while culling operations commenced today, official sources said here. Several chickens had died in the villages during the past few days following which the blood samples were sent for testing and the presence of the H5N1 virus was confirmed by the district administration last night. Two teams, comprising seven personnel each, began the culling operations with a target of disposing of 30,000 chickens by the next three days.

About 4,860 birds had been disposed of so far, the sources said, adding that the culling operations would continue till late in the evening. Meanwhile, a massive awareness campaign had been launched in the villages and the people were advised to take adequate precautions.

UNI